Unit 7 Concept 2: Succession

In which way is primary succession similar to secondary succession?

• Both occur where life already exists.
• Both are gradual.
• Both occur where no life exists.
• Both involve creating soil.

After a volcanic eruption, lava flowed over an area and then cooled to form a thick layer of new rock. One thousand years later, a thriving forest with diverse flora and fauna is found in that area, even though evidence suggests that several large forest fires have occurred. Which statement best describes what happened?

• Secondary succession occurred, followed by several primary successions.
• Only secondary successions occurred.
• Primary succession occurred, followed by several secondary successions.
• Only primary successions occurred.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Eunice is a scientist studying a grassland area in the midwestern United States. It contains many species of flora and fauna that coexist and remain relatively balanced. There have also been no recent disturbances in the area. Which topic is Eunice’s project most likely about?

• secondary succession
• pioneer spieces
• primary succession
• climax communities

Rebekah is studying lichens growing on a cooled lava field. What is Rebekah most likely researching?

• secondary succession
• climax communities
• pioneer species
• disturbances

Which statement best contrasts pioneer species and climax communities?

• Pioneer species are involved in the first stage of succession, and climax communities are involved in the final stage of succession
• Pioneer species are involved in the final stage of succession, and climax communities are involved in the first stage of succession.
• A pioneer species will change into a different species in the climax community.
• A climax community is made up of multiple pioneer species.

_________________ is the gradual change in the types of species that live in a community. This can include primary and secondary situations.

• Climax Communities
• Pioneer Species
• Succession
• Fortnite

Secondary succession would most likely be taking place in a(n)

• a field following a wildfire
• exposed rock after a glacier melts
• area of cooling lava
• area where sand was eroded

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Moss grows where there was previously only rock. Which situation describes this example?

• a pioneer species in primary succession
• a pioneer species in secondary succession
• a climax community in secondary succession
• a climax community in primary succession

Which is an example of a pioneer species?

• lichens
• ferns
• trees
• shrubs

A glacier in Alaska starts to melt and exposes solid bedrock. After some time, primary succession begins to occur. Which of the following lists the correct order in which plant growth would occur?

• shrubs --> mosses --> trees --> grasses
• lichen--> mosses --> grasses --> trees
• lichen--> grasses --> trees --> mosses
• grasses--> mosses --> lichen--> trees

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5